Foot measuring apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable, battery-operated human foot-measuring apparatus is provided for simultaneously measuring the arch length and related width length of the foot as well as the heel-toe length. The apparatus operates in such a manner that one can measure either right or left foot within a single four sided measuring zone without mechanical rotation or change of scales and electronic readout means are provided for indicating all measurements.

United States Patent 3.360362 1/1968 Darvin...........

[72] Inventor Charles A. Soriano Fairfield, Conn. [21 Appl. No. 832,570

3,494,036 2/1970 Stiebeletal.............:::::

1 Primary ExaminerLeonard Fomian ggff Assistant ExaminerCharles E.Phillips Assignee AtwatellForbes Corporation Attorney-Penn1e, Edmonds,Morton, Taylor and Adams Westport, Conn.

[54] FOOT MEASURING APPARATUS ABSTRACT: A portable, battery-operatedhuman foot-mea- 33/3 suring apparatus is provided for simultaneouslymeasuring the A435 1/00 arch length and related width length of the footas well as the 6 heel-toe length. The apparatus operates in such amanner that one can measure either right or left foot within a singlefour F m m g u .m m W W mam m mmm n s mm .m and h d C s m 7 UhF M m U55[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,032,880 5/1962 sidedmeasuring zone without mechanical rotation or change of scales andelectronic readout means are provided for indicating all measurements.

PATENTEU HAY25 lsn SHEET 1 0F 6 FIG. I

INVENTOR (HAKZEJ A. EOK/A/VO PATENTEU mm mm SHEET "2 [IF 6 FIG. 3

FIG. 2

FIG 4 FIG. 5

INVENTOR (amen-'5 A. Jae/4N0 PATENIEnn/Lvzsm sum u or 6 INVENTOR (604?if 4. fax/4M0 oor MEASURING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements ina footmeasuring device and more particularly is directed toward anelectronic unit for use in measuring the sizes of the human foot bysimultaneously indicating arch length and width, and by separatelyindicating toe length, by means of mechanical sensors coupled with anelectronic cold cathode figure indicator. This apparatus is an aid infitting and merchandising properly fitted shoes.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has long been accepted in the shoeindustry that there are three important measurements of the human footwhich determine the correct shoe size. These are: (l) toe length, i.e.,the distance from the back end of the heel to the front end of thefurthest extending toe; (2) arch length, i.e., the distance from theback end of the heel to the soft tissue prominence medial to the firstmetatarso-phalangeal joint, this prominence hereinafter is referred toby its more common name The ball of the foot; and (3) the width of thefoot, i.e., the horizontal foot breadth which is the line taken alongthe rectangular abscissa of the long plane defined by the diagonalbetween the prominence of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint and thefifth metatarso-phalangeal joint.

Most prior art devices for determining these measurements are mechanical'in nature, consisting of metal frames and gauge blocks which moveacross shoe size scales. These devices suffer from a number ofdisadvantages.

For most people the arch-length shoe size is the same as the toe-lengthshoe size. This is due to the fact that the arch length is generallyproportional to the toe length; every 0.222 inches of arch length isequal to 0.333 inches of toe length. Any deviation in this proportionindicates that the foot is podiatrically variant from the norm. Today anever increasing number of people have a variation in their arch-lengthtoe-length proportion. Since last manufacturers make width sizesproportional to the one overall shoe length size, a fitting problem iscreated when the arch length-toe length are out of proportion. Realizingthis, these devices generally measure the toe length, and then the archlength of the foot, and with these sizes in mind select a point ofreference for measurement of the correct width size. The correlation ofthe varied lengths for correct width determination presentsdisadvantages and real difficulty for the neophyte. The process callsfor two measurements, the correlation, and then a third measurement. Ifany of these measurements are improperly made, due to human error,inaccurate scales, or problems caused by curvature or parallax betweenthe foot and the measuring scale, the size and fit will be incorrect.Another disadvantage accrues when because of the complexity of thisprocess and the possibility of error, the fitter omits part of theprocess, thereby severely reducing the probability of a correct fit.

Until recently it was assumed that the widest portion of the foot wasthe distance from the ball of the foot to the point on the other side ofthe foot perpendicular to the heel-toe line. Because of this assumptionthe prior art devices have used an interior arch block with a means ofaccepting the ball of the foot and an exterior width block with a longstraight edge parallel to the heel-toe line. Because of theseconstruction limitations most devices were made so that one foot ismeasured, then the device is rotated 180 and the other foot is measured.This design necessitates the use of two overlapping scales which areoften confusing to both the customer and the fitter. This confusionalong with the need to rotate the equipment often means that only onefoot is measured; the other foot is assumed to be the same size. This isan unacceptable procedure and does not yield a proper fit. Some devicesin an effort to overcome the disadvantages inherent in rotated equipmentare constructed with two independent measuring zones, two sets ofmeasuring blocks, and two separate scales. This equipment suffers fromdisadvantages caused by weight, size, complexity and cost.

As noted above one of the disadvantages of the prior art is theoverlapping and confusion of the scales. Automatic footmeasuring-machines have been proposed which would give electronicreadings of the scales, as' shown for example in US. Pat. Nos. 3,032,880and 3,192,627. While these devices sometimes give clear readings theysuffer from the problem of having two separate foot-measuring zones.This requires that the system by necessity have two complete electricalcircuits and a correlated readout system. These features cause suchdevices to have a large number of parts, high friction requirements andlow electronic reliability which sometimes yields unintelligible orconfusing size indications. In addition, these devices sufier from allof the weight and size problems inherent to the mechanical devices usingtwo-measuring zones.

Some devices have dispensed with the arch-length measurement. By doingthis one zone can be used to measure both right and left feet. Onedevice of this nature also correlates the toe length to the appropriatewidth length, as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,360,862. The disadvantage ofthis class of prior art devices is that they do not measure the archlength, and therefore, will not note, and can make no provision for thefoot in which the arch length is difierent from the toe length. Thedevice which correlates toe length to width is most likely to select theincorrect size for the deviant foot since in numerous studies it hasbeen shown that the arch length-width provides a much more accurateselection for the deviant foot than the toe length-width measurement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A foot-measuring apparatus isdisclosed which can alternately measure the arch length size and relatedwidth length size of either the right or left foot on a singlefootreceiving zone with a common electrical indicator. This apparatuswhich can also independently measure toe-length size is comprised of aplatform having a foot-receiving zone thereon. The measuring area isdefined by a generally stationary heel block member which fomis alatitudinal bottom boundary; a longitudinally moveable member whichforms one lateral edge of the zone and which has a means of acceptingthe ball of one foot for width measurement; a longitudinally andlaterally moveable member which forms the other lateral edge of the zoneand which also has a means for accepting the ball of the other foot forwidth measurement; and finally, a longitudinally moveable member whichforms the top boundary of the receiving area and which can be placed incontact with the top or toe of the foot to measure toe-heel length.Means are provided for maintaining the planar innerface surfaces of thelateral block members parallel to each other while permitting movementof one of the lateral block members with respect to the other along aline perpendicular to the toe-heel line of the foot. Means are providedfor measuring the arch length or distance from the heel block to thepoint perpendicular to the lateral block holding the ball of the foot,the width or the distance between the two blocks forming lateralboundaries of the foot-measuring zone, and the toe length or thedistance from the heel block to the block forming the top ofthefoot-measuring zone.

In accordance with a principal feature of the present invention meansfor measuring arch length and width sizes are mechanically connectedtogether and electrically sensed and indicated in such a way as toprovide a correlated reading as to shoe length and correspondingappropriate shoe width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features of theinvention will be apparent form the following detailed description withreference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective overall view of the foot measuring apparatus inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental cutaway view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. Ishowing the heel block which forms a base for the footmeasuring zone;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental cutaway side view of the apparatus taken alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental cutaway view of the apparatus taken along theline 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the arch length-measuring equipment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional cutaway fore view of the apparatus taken along theline 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the width measuring equipment;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental cutaway side view of the toe-length indicatortaken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental cutaway view of the toe length indicator as takenalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective overall view of the foot measuring apparatustaken along 8-8 of FIG. 1 from the bottom with the baseplate andsections of the brush plates removed;

FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic diagram of the electrical measuring andindicating circuits; and

FIG. 10 is an overlay view of the printed circuit board for themeasurement and indicator circuits.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As generally shown in FIG. I, thefoot-measuring apparatus provided by. this invention comprises aself-contained portable, compact gauging apparatus having its electricalcomponents, connections and structural members secured within housing11. A display panel 12 mounted toward the front of 11 houses andsupports size indicator tubes 207-209 and switches 14 and 15, all ofwhich are discussed more fully in connection with FIG. 9. Display panel12 is preferably raised above cover 11 so that the visual sizeindicators are within the full view of both the fitter and the consumer.The remainder of 11 contains a single measuring zone 16 which is used tomeasure or gauge both'right and left feet without rotating the apparatusor altering any of its components. The boundaries of zone 16 are definedby four gauge blocks, namely, heel block 20, arch blocks 30 and 70 andtoe block 90. The front edge 24 of heel block 20 provides a fixedreference from which all length measurements are made.

Recent trends in shoe manufacturing have lead to the development ofdifferent base reference points from which to commence shoe lengthsizes. In order to allow the fitter to adjust for this variance, whichis particularly noticeable in both children's and foreign lasts, apreferred embodiment of this apparatus allows heel block 20 to be movedlongitudinally over a distance sufficient to adjust for thesevariations. As shown in FIG. 2 fastening bolt 21 is provided whichpasses through hole in the heel block, through longitudinal slot 22 incover 11, through the printed circuit board 120 and into a laterallyrestrained tension nut 26 and block nut 27. By loosening fastener 21,the heel block 20 can be placed in the correct last reference which isshown by etchings 23 on cover 11. Once the fastening device has beentightened the heel block is firmly and immovable fixed in position.

The arch-length measurement is made along the heel-toe line from thefront edge 24 of the heel block 20 to a point where a line parallel toedge 24 intersects both the heel-toe line and the center point where theappropriate right or left arch block or 70 contacts the ball of thefoot. The arch blocks are designed so that their interior edges 31 and71, which form the actual lateral boundaries of the foot-measuring zonehave a straight edge, an indentation 32 and 72, respectively, and thenstraight edges 31A and 71A. The indentations 32 and 72 are shaped tocomfortably accept the ball of the left and right foot respectively. Theline from the center of indentation 32 shown by the line 33 to thecenter of indentation 72 shown by the line 73 is parallel to the frontedge 24 of heel block 20 and is at right angles to the heel-toe line.Arch blocks 70 and 30 are moved longitudinally with handle 75, butbecause of their construction, discussed more thoroughly herein, theblock indentation center lines always maintain their parallel positionwith respect to the front edge 24 of the heel block.

To measure the arch length, the foot is placed between arch blocks 70and 30 with the heel resting against block 20. The arch blocks are thenlongitudinally adjusted so that the ball of the foot enters theappropriate indentation on the arch block. The arch block indentation tobe used depends upon whether the foot to be measured has its ball on theright or left side. For example, when the left foot is placed withinmeasuring zone 16 with the heel resting against edge 24, indentation 32of block 30 is positioned longitudinally to accept the ball. The

measured arch length is the distance along the heel-toe line I from edge24 to line 33 or line 73.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the parallel longitudinal movementof the arch blocks 30 and 70 is controlled by archlength control 35.This arch-length control is firmly attached to arch block 30 by bar 34and to arch block 70 by rod 74. The movement of the arch-length controlis directed by slot 36 located on the side edge of housing 11. Thephysical design of this control and the placement of slot 36, which runsparallel to the heel-toe foot line and extends for a length sufficientto allow the arch blocks to move freely from small to large sizes, aresuch that the arch blocks have free longitudinal movement with minusculelateral translations. Arch-length control 35 is held against slot 36 bya suitable fastener, for example, bolts 37 and 38. As shown in FIG. 3these bolts pass through arch length control 35, through wear plates 39and 40, through slot 36, and through additional wear units. Finally,these bolts are secured in the arch-length brush block 41. In apreferred em bodiment bolts 37 and 38 are equipped with a tension deviceas, for example, a spring so that the tightness of the arch controlagainst housing 11 will remain constant as the wear plates undergo theirnormal deterioration. The arch-length brush block 41 which is attachedto the arch-length control by bolts 37 and 38 travels inside housing 11.Attached to the archlength brush block are a seriesof four electricallyconductive brushes 42-45 which make contact with conductive segments ona printed circuit board and electrically energize appropriate circuitsconnected to the size readout indicator tubes 207-209. As arch-lengthcontrol 35 moves up and down slot 36, brushes 42-45 move up and downcircuit board 120 making contact with different conductors on theprinted circuit board as more fully discussed herein.

The width length measurement is made between the center of one of theindentations on the arch block and a line parallel to and touching thestraight edges of the other block. Since the widest portion of the footis not directly opposite the ball of that foot but instead at a pointcloser to the heel of the foot, there is no chance for the widestportion of the foot under measurement being included between both archblock indentations.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, foot width is measured by moving archblock 70 laterally with handle 75 so that the foot is held looselybetween arch blocks 30 and 70. The lateral movement of block 70 iscontrolled by rod 74 which passes through arch-length control 35 tohandle 75. Arch-length control 35 is designed so that rod 74 can belaterally varied without longitudinally displacing block 70. Rod 74 isattached to arch block 70 by means of an arch attachment 87. Inoperation the arch block 70 is laterally traversed by a circular opening196 sufficient to allow passage of rod 74. The opening at the edge ofthe block closest to width control 75 is expanded sufiiciently to allowspring 198 and snap ring 199 to pass part way into the block. The outerextreme of opening 196 is covered with cap having a circular openingsufficient to permit passage of 74. Cap 195 is affixed to block 70 andthe spring and snap ring are thereby confined within the arch block. Alimiting collar 194 is placed on the rod 74 adjacent 195 to limitlateral movement of the spring-loaded arch block along the rod to anacceptable short distance. However, the arch blocks can be movedlaterally by compressing the spring until the lid comes in contact withthe limiting collar.

The exterior end of rod 74 is coupled to handle 75 which is provided toboth position longitudinally arch control 35 as well as laterallyposition arch block 70. Electrical readout means for the widthmeasurement are coupled by rod 76 to handle '75. As shown in FIG. 5 rod76 terminates in bullet block 77 having brush 78 in contact with printedcircuit board 120, and brush 79 in contact with a ground power plate 80secured to the bottom 81 of 11. Brushes 78 and 79 physically andelectrically connected through block 77 by a conductive spring (notshown). As arch blocks 30 and 70 are moved longitudinally to measure thearch length of a foot, brush 79 moves up and down the printed circuitboard in contact with an electrically conductive scale arranged toenergize and thereby indicate on tube 210 the correct width size for theassociated arch length. Thus in accordance with a principal feature ofthe invention, width measurement is directly associated and correlatedwith the measurement of arch length.

As shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 1, an independent means is provided for measuring the heel-toelength of the foot. This length is measured by longitudinally moving toeblock 90 so that the toe is touching the front edge 91 of block 90 whenthe heel is touching the front edge 24 of heel block 20. As shown inFIGS. 6 and'7, toe block 90 is moved along and its direction iscontrolled by slot 92 which runs along the heel-toe line of housing 11.Toe block 90 is movably supported on housing 11 by bolt 93 which passesthrough toe-length brush block 94, wear plates 95, slot 92 and wearplates 96. Spring 97 is provided to maintain a constant pressure betweenthe toe block 90 and 11 as friction units 95 and 96 undergo normal wear.In order to assure the longitudinal rigidity of the toe block a screw190 is passed through the toe-length brush block 94 into a guide 189which rides in slot 92 but does not protrude from housing 11.

As shown in FIG. 7, toe-length brush block 94 has six electricallyconductive brushes 100-105 connected to it. As toe block 90 moves up anddown slot 92, brushes 100-105 move up and down circuit board 120 makingelectrical contacts with various conductor scale segments indicative ofthe length of the foot being measured as further explained below.

The front edge 91 of toe block 90, as best seen in FIG. 6, consists of aseparate unit 106 which is attached to the main body 107 of the toeblock 90 by a hinge 108 which is located at the top of block 90. Themain body 106 is laterally traversed by a circular opening 109. Theportion of this opening which is closest to the separate unit 106 isexpanded to allow a spring to pass part way into the block. A screw ispassed through unit 106 to which it is firmly attached, through thespring, into the circular opening in the main body 107. The springallows the front edge 91 of toe block 90 to be longitudinally movedtoward the main body of toe block 90. In a particularly preferredembodiment a pressure sensitive microswitch 118 is placed on the mainpiece ,107 such that when unit 1013 comes in contact with themicroswitch an audible buzzer warning signal is actuated. The toe blockis in the correct measuring position when the front edge 91 is touchingthe toe without actuation of the microswitch and warning signal.

The electrical circuit and scaling system provided to interpret themovement of the various blocks is best shown by FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Asshown in FIG. 8, the printed circuit board 120 supports the commutatorswitch segments and associated circuit connections for electricallyindicating the measured foot dimensions.

The accurately positioned switch scales are converted to readablesymbols by means of an electrical readout system. Six brushes 100-J05supported by the toe-length brush block 94 contact with either acontinuous conductor strip or an array of commutator switch segments,each of which is connected to a separate cathode element of a coldcathode readout tube such as a Nixie tube manufactured by Burroughs.More specifically, brush 103 contacts the toe-length ground strip 133which is connected to the negative terminal of a DC high voltage supplyas described more fully below and to brushes 100, 101 and 102 via brush103. Brush 102 is positioned to sequentially contact and electricallyenergize the half-size scale segments 158 of the toe-length scale andthereby energize tube 209.

Strip 131 which is contacted and electrically energized by brush 101 isprovided to switch on the tens digit indicator 207 when the foot sizeexceeds 9, i.e., brush 101 is in contact with strip 131 when the shoesize is 10 or greater. Brush is positioned to sequentially contact anarray of separate conductive segments 1008, each of which is connectedto a separate cathode element (zero to nine) in the unit digit readouttube 208. If the indicated shoe size is 9, for example, DC voltage isswitched from the brush box into the circuit which is connected to thenine indicator of the length size readout tube 208. If the shoe sizes is12%, DC voltage is connected by the respective brushes to the half-sizeindicator strip 132, the tens indicator strip 131,- and the segment inarray 1008 connected with the unit indicator reading 2.

Strips 134 and 135 which are connected to the toe length brush block bybrushes 104 and 105 are used to transfer the signal from the springwarning switch in the toe block to a warning system (not shown).

Similar to the toe-length system the arch-length brush plate has fourbrushes 42-45. Brush 42 comes in contact with arch ground plane 142. Thetens unit indicator is controlled by strip 143 which is activated bybrush 43. The half-size indicator is controlled by strip 144 which isactivated by brush 44. Brush 45 makes contact with one of thearch-length switch segments 145 which are in turn connected to one ofthe zero to nine cathode elements in the length units readout tube 208.

Somewhat similar to the archand toe-length system is the T width system.Block 77 contacts ground plate 90 (See FIG. 9). The other end of thebullet block comes in contact with one of three strips -162 angularlypositioned to measure and indicate narrow (N), medium (M) and wide (W)for the expanding width, length relationship. Depending upon the stripon the printed circuit contacted by bullet 78 an appropriate width sizefor the given arch length will appear on the width readout tube 210.

It should be noted that the particular apprhatus disclosed in FIGS. 8, 9and 10 is basically designed for measuring childrens feet. Therefore,although it has size indicators for infant, youth and small adult shoesizes, the width scales are designed only to indicate narrow 160, normal161, and wide 162 feet. These are the normal width sizes for childrensshoes. However, this apparatus can easily be modified to cover all shoelengths and widths.

As best seen in FIG. 10, which shows an overlapping copy of the frontand back sides of the circuit board 120, all of the circuits which wouldlight up a portion of a readout tube are connected to each other so thatthe same indicator tubes may be used to readout the various arch andtoe-heel measurements. The 3's, for example, given by a reading of adulttoe length size 3, youth size 13, and infant 3; and of arch length adultsize 3, youth 13, and infant 3, are all connected together and thenconnected to the number 3 cathode on the length unit digit tube 208.This is illustrated by the darkened line in FIG. 10. Similarly, thehalf-size arch length and the half-size toe length strips areelectrically connected together for energization of cathode 5 of 209.The tens digit strips are likewise connected. Because of the parallelconnections of the various switching segments arranged to energize thereadout tubes, it is necessary to provide protection against falsereadings produced by so called sneak circuit combinations. To this endblocking diodes 50A are connected in series with each of the brushes43-45 as shown in FIG. 9 and poled to prevent reverse current flowbetween the paralleled switch contacts.

The power system used to activate the cold cathode visual readout tubesis shown in the simplified block and schematic diagram of FIG. 9. Theportable foot-measuring apparatus is powered by battery which isarranged to energize high voltage DC supply 410 either through theactuation of toelength measuring switch 15 or arch-length and widthmeasuring switch 16 as shown. The positive DC output lead 415 isdirectly connected to the respective anode terminals of the cold cathodeindicator tubes 207-210 while the negative lead 416 is connectedalternatively by the actuation of switch via lead 420 to toe-lengthground plane 133 or by the actuation of switch 16 via leads 430 and 431to ground planes 142 and 80 respectively. Charger 440 is provided toperiodically recharge battery 410.

It should be understood that various modifications may be made in thepreferred embodiment of the invention described above without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

lclaim:

l. Foot-size measuring apparatus comprising a. a housing having anexterior foot-receiving area thereon;

b. a heel gauge block affixed to the foot-receiving area having areference surface provided to define the heel position for foot lengthmeasurements;

c. first and second ball-foot gauging blocks each having a planar innerface surface with an intennediate curved recess surface provided toaccept the curved ball of a human foot;

d. means for movably supporting said ball-foot gauging blocks in alongitudinal direction along the heel-toe line of a foot to be measuredwhile maintaining the planar inner face surfaces of the blocks inparallel alignment with the heel-toe line and the ball-receivingsurfaces opposite one another on a centerline perpendicular to saidheeltoe line;

e. means for laterally moving one of said ball-foot gauge blocks withrespect to the other to change the width spacing between the inner facesurfaces thereof;

f. calibrated means for measuring and indicating the lateral widthseparations of said ball-foot gauge blocks; and

g. calibrated means for measuring and indicating the longitudinalseparation along the heel-toe line between the reference surface of saidheel gauge block and the perpendicular centerline for the recesssurfaces of the ballfoot gauge blocks.

2. Foot-size measuring apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having an exterior foot-receiving area thereon;

b. a heel gaugeblock affixed to the foot-receiving area having areference surface provided to define the heel position for foot lengthmeasurements;

c. first and second ball-foot gauging blocks having a planar inner facesurface with an intermediate curved recess surface provided to acceptthe curved ball of a human foot;

d. means for movably supporting said ball foot-gauging blocks in alongitudinal direction along the heel-toe line of a foot to be measuredwhile maintaining the planar inner face surfaces of the blocks inparallel alignment with the heel-toe line and the ball-receivingsurfaces opposite one another on a centerline perpendicular to saidheel-toe line;

e. means for laterally moving one of said ball-foot gauge blocks withrespect to the other to change the width spacing between the inner facesurfaces thereof;

f. a toe gauge block supported on said housing for movement in alongitudinal direction along the heel-toe line of the foot to bemeasured and having a reference surface for contacting the furthestextending toe of the foot to be measured;

g. calibrated means for measuring and indicating the lateral widthseparations of said ball-foot gauge blocks; and

h. calibrated means for measuring and indicating the longitudinalseparation along the heel-toe line between the reference surface of saidheel gauge block and either the reference surface of said toe gaugeblock or the perpendicular centerline for the recess surfaces of theball-foot gauge blocks.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein first segmented switchmeans are provided to measure the longitudinal displacement of saidball-foot gauge blocks from said heel-block and electrically energizecold-cathode display tubes to indicate arch-len foot size and secondsegmented switch means are provide to simultaneously measure lateraldisplacement between said ball-foot gauge blocks and electricallyenergize a cold-cathode type display to indicate archwidth size.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein first segmented switchmeans are provided to measure the longitudinal displacement of saidball-foot gauge blocks from said heel block and electrically energizecold-cathode display tubes to indicate arch-length foot size, secondsegmented switch means are provided to simultaneously measure lateraldisplacement between said ball-foot gauge blocks and electricallyenergize a cold-cathode type display to indicate archwidth size andthird segmented switch means are provided to measure longitudinaldisplacement of said toe gauge block from said heel block andelectrically energize cold-cathode display tubes to indicate toe-heelsize.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first and thirdsegmented switch means are connected in parallel with isolating diodestherebetween and switch means are provided to selectively connect asingle set of cold-cathode display tubes to either said first or thirdsegmented switch means to indicate arch-length size or toe-heel sizerespectively.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein adjustable means areprovided for changing the fixture position of the heel gauge block overa limited longitudinal distance along the heel-toe line.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein adjustable means areprovided for changing the fixture position of the heel gauge block overa limited longitudinal distance along the heel-toe line.

1. Foot-size measuring apparatus comprising a. a housing having anexterior foot-receiving area thereon; b. a heel gauge block affixed tothe foot-receiving area having a reference surface provided to definethe heel position for foot length measurements; c. first and secondball-foot gauging blocks each having a planar inner face surface with anintermediate curved recess surface provided to accept the curved ball ofa human foot; d. means for movably supporting said ball-foot gaugingblocks in a longitudinal direction along the heel-toe line of a foot tobe measured while maintaining the planar inner face surfaces of theblocks in parallel alignment with the heel-toe line and theball-receiving surfaces opposite one another on a centerlineperpendicular to said heel-toe line; e. means for laterally moving oneof said ball-foot gauge blocks with respect to the other to change thewidth spacing between the inner face surfaces thereof; f. calibratedmeans for measuring and indicating the laterAl width separations of saidball-foot gauge blocks; and g. calibrated means for measuring andindicating the longitudinal separation along the heel-toe line betweenthe reference surface of said heel gauge block and the perpendicularcenterline for the recess surfaces of the ballfoot gauge blocks. 2.Foot-size measuring apparatus comprising: a. a housing having anexterior foot-receiving area thereon; b. a heel gauge block affixed tothe foot-receiving area having a reference surface provided to definethe heel position for foot length measurements; c. first and secondball-foot gauging blocks having a planar inner face surface with anintermediate curved recess surface provided to accept the curved ball ofa human foot; d. means for movably supporting said ball foot-gaugingblocks in a longitudinal direction along the heel-toe line of a foot tobe measured while maintaining the planar inner face surfaces of theblocks in parallel alignment with the heel-toe line and theball-receiving surfaces opposite one another on a centerlineperpendicular to said heel-toe line; e. means for laterally moving oneof said ball-foot gauge blocks with respect to the other to change thewidth spacing between the inner face surfaces thereof; f. a toe gaugeblock supported on said housing for movement in a longitudinal directionalong the heel-toe line of the foot to be measured and having areference surface for contacting the furthest extending toe of the footto be measured; g. calibrated means for measuring and indicating thelateral width separations of said ball-foot gauge blocks; and h.calibrated means for measuring and indicating the longitudinalseparation along the heel-toe line between the reference surface of saidheel gauge block and either the reference surface of said toe gaugeblock or the perpendicular centerline for the recess surfaces of theball-foot gauge blocks.
 2. Foot-size measuring apparatus comprising: a.a housing having an exterior foot-receiving area thereon; b. a heelgauge block affixed to the foot-receiving area having a referencesurface provided to define the heel position for foot lengthmeasurements; c. first and second ball-foot gauging blocks having aplanar inner face surface with an intermediate curved recess surfaceprovided to accept the curved ball of a human foot; d. means for movablysupporting said ball foot-gauging blocks in a longitudinal directionalong the heel-toe line of a foot to be measured while maintaining theplanar inner face surfaces of the blocks in parallel alignment with theheel-toe line and the ball-receiving surfaces opposite one another on acenterline perpendicular to said heel-toe line; e. means for laterallymoving one of said ball-foot gauge blocks with respect to the other tochange the width spacing between the inner face surfaces thereof; f. atoe gauge block supported on said housing for movement in a longitudinaldirection along the heel-toe line of the foot to be measured and havinga reference surface for contacting the furthest extending toe of thefoot to be measured; g. calibrated means for measuring and indicatingthe lateral width separations of said ball-foot gauge blocks; and h.calibrated means for measuring and indicating the longitudinalseparation along the heel-toe line between the reference surface of saidheel gauge block and either the reference surface of said toe gaugeblock or the perpendicular centerline for the recess surfaces of theball-foot gauge blocks.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whereinfirst segmented switch means are provided to measure the longitudinaldisplacement of said ball-foot gauge blocks from said heel-block andelectrically energize cold-cathode display tubes to indicate arch-lengthfoot size and second segmented switch means are provided tosimultaneously measure lateral displacement between said ball-foot gaugeblocks and electrically energize a cold-cathode type display to indicatearch-width size.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein firstsegmented switch means are provided to measure the longitudinaldisplacement of said ball-foot gauge blocks from said heel block andelectrically energize cold-cathode display tubes to indicate arch-lengthfoot size, second segmented switch means are provided to simultaneouslymeasure lateral displacement between said ball-foot gauge blocks andelectrically energize a cold-cathode type display to indicate arch-widthsize and third segmented switch means are provided to measurelongitudinal displacement of said toe gauge block from said heel blockand electrically energize cold-cathode display tubes to indicatetoe-heel size.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the firstand third segmented switch means are connected in parallel withisolating diodes therebetween and switch means are provided toselectively connect a single set of cold-cathode display tubes to eithersaid first or third segmented switch means to indicate arch-length sizeor toe-heel size respectively.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein adjustable means are provided for changing the fixture positionof the heel gauge block over a limited longitudinal distance along theheel-toe line.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 whereinadjustable means are provided for changing the fixture position of theheel gauge block over a limited longitudinal distance along the heel-toeline.